JP3880745B2 - Digital still camera and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to a digital still camera that records image data obtained by imaging on a recording medium in association with a frame number and a control method therefor.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A digital still camera obtains image data representing a subject image by imaging the subject, and records the obtained image data on a recording medium such as a memory card. A frame number (file name) is assigned to each frame of the image represented by the image data. When a memory card is replaced, there are many digital still cameras that start from 1 each time the frame number is reset.
[0003]
In general, image data obtained by imaging using a digital still camera is transferred from the digital still camera to a personal computer and temporarily stored in a hard disk of the personal computer. Since the frame number is reset every time the memory card is replaced, the same frame number may be assigned to different image data. In order to store different image data having the same frame number in the same hard disk, the image data must be stored in different folders. You will have to create a different folder for each memory card.
[0004]
Even if a folder is created for each imaging theme, in order to store image data in the folder, a new frame number must be reassigned using a personal computer so as not to have the same number.
[0005]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a digital still camera and a control method therefor that can be assigned different frame numbers for each imaging theme.
[0006]
The digital still camera according to the present invention captures a subject and outputs image data representing the subject image, an imaging theme setting unit for setting an imaging theme, and an imaging theme set by the imaging theme setting unit. The frame number storage means for storing each frame number, and the imaging theme set by the imaging theme setting means among the frame numbers stored in the frame number storage means each time the subject is imaged by the imaging means Frame number increment means for incrementing the frame number, storage control means for controlling the frame number storage means so as to store the frame number incremented by the frame number increment means for each corresponding imaging theme, And data representing the frame number incremented by the frame number increment means Image data recording control means for associating the image data output from the imaging means by imaging with the imaging theme set by the imaging theme setting means and recording the image data on a recording medium corresponding to the set imaging theme is provided. It is characterized by that.
[0007]
The present invention also provides a method suitable for the camera. That is, in this method, an imaging theme can be set, each frame number is stored for each set imaging theme, an object is imaged, image data representing an object image is obtained, and each time an object is imaged. In addition, the frame number for the set imaging theme among the stored frame numbers is incremented, the incremented frame number is stored for each corresponding imaging theme, and the data representing the incremented frame number is stored. And the image data obtained by imaging with the set imaging theme are recorded in a recording medium corresponding to the set imaging theme.
[0008]
According to the present invention, it is possible to set an imaging theme, and a frame number is stored for each imaging theme. The recording medium is determined for each imaging theme by the user. A recording medium corresponding to the set imaging theme is attached to the digital still camera. When the subject is imaged, the frame number for the set imaging theme among the stored frame numbers is incremented. The incremented frame number is stored. Data representing the incremented frame number and image data obtained by imaging are recorded on a recording medium corresponding to the set imaging theme. The image data recorded on the recording medium is given a unique frame number for each imaging theme.
[0009]
The specific usage is as follows. Create a folder for each imaging theme on the hard disk of a personal computer. The image data recorded on the recording medium and the data representing the frame number are transmitted to the personal computer. A folder storing image data and frame number data recorded on a recording medium is dragged and dropped into a folder for each imaging theme already created in the personal computer. The frame number of the image data already stored in the folder is not duplicated. Simply drag and drop the folder that stores the image data recorded on the recording medium and the frame number data into the folder for each imaging theme already created on the personal computer. Folders with data can be updated. It is easy to organize the image data for each imaging theme.
[0010]
For the setting of the imaging theme, a plurality of imaging themes may be stored, and a desired imaging theme may be selected from the stored imaging themes. Setting the imaging theme is easy.
[0011]
[Explanation of Examples]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital still camera.
[0012]
The entire operation of the digital still camera is controlled by the CPU 10.
[0013]
The digital still camera includes an operation unit 11. The operation unit 11 includes a mode setting key 12, an up / down key (up and down key) 13, a left / right key (left and right key) 14, and Execute key 15 is included. Signals indicating the settings of the mode setting key 12, up / down key 13, left / right key 14, and execution key 15 are input to the CPU 10.
[0014]
The digital still camera further includes a liquid crystal monitor display device 8. As will be described later, a setup screen and a subject image are displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal monitor display device 8.
[0015]
A subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 2 by the imaging lens 1. A video signal representing a subject image is output from the image sensor 2 and input to the analog signal processing circuit 3. In the analog signal processing circuit 3, predetermined analog signal processing such as CDS (correlated double sampling) and white balance processing is performed. The video signal output from the analog signal processing circuit 3 is input to the analog / digital conversion circuit 4 and converted into digital image data.
[0016]
When digital image data obtained by imaging is recorded in the memory card 20, the digital image data converted by the analog / digital conversion circuit 4 is simply passed through the digital signal processing circuit 5 and given to the image memory 7. The digital image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 7. Digital image data is read from the image memory 7 and input to the digital signal processing circuit 5. In the digital signal processing circuit 5, predetermined digital signal processing such as luminance data and color difference data generation processing data compression processing is performed. Digital signal processed image data output from the digital signal processing circuit 5 is recorded in the memory card 20.
[0017]
The image data before compression in the digital signal processing circuit 5 is also given to the liquid crystal monitor display device 8. A subject image is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor display device 8.
[0018]
Further, the digital still camera is provided with an output terminal (not shown). With this output terminal, the digital still camera and an external monitor display device can be electrically connected. A subject image obtained by imaging can be displayed by an external monitor display device.
[0019]
The digital still camera according to this embodiment includes a flash memory 6.
[0020]
FIG. 2 shows the contents of the flash memory 6.
[0021]
The flash memory 6 stores frame numbers corresponding to the imaging theme. Here, the imaging themes include “FLOWER”, “SPORTS”, “PEOPLE”, “SKY”, “MOUNTAIN”, “SEA”, “ANIMAL”, and “TRAVEL”. "FLOWER" is a flower imaging theme, "SPORTS" is a sports imaging theme, "PEOPLE" is a human imaging theme, "SKY" is an empty imaging theme, "MOUNTAIN" is a mountain imaging theme, and "SEA" is a sea "ANIMAL" is an animal imaging theme, and "TRAVEL" is a travel imaging theme. In the digital still camera according to this embodiment, an imaging theme can be set. A subject along the imaging theme is imaged, and image data representing the subject image is obtained. A frame number is assigned to image data obtained by imaging. The last frame number assigned at the time of imaging with the imaging theme of the previous time is stored so as to be a continuous frame number for each imaging theme.
[0022]
When the imaging theme is set and the subject is imaged, the frame number stored in the flash memory 6 is incremented, and the incremented frame number is associated with the image data obtained by imaging as described above. Will be recorded on the memory card 20. More details will be described later.
[0023]
3 to 7 show an example of the display screen of the liquid crystal monitor display device 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for setting and selecting an imaging theme.
[0024]
When the setup mode is set by the mode setting button 12 (step 41), the setup screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display screen of the monitor display device 8.
[0025]
The setup screen includes setup items such as compression ratio, number of pixels, frame number memory, date and time, and reset. The compression rate is an item for setting the compression rate of image data in the digital signal processing circuit. The number of pixels is an item for setting the number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions of the image represented by the image data to be recorded. 1280 x 1024 pixels or 640 x 480 pixels can be set. The frame number memory is used to determine the frame number setting. There are three types of number memory settings: on, off, and theme. On is set when a frame number is assigned following the last frame number of the image data recorded in the memory card 20 mounted. Off is set when a frame number is assigned following the last frame number of the last used memory card. The theme is set when consecutive frame numbers are assigned for each imaging theme. The date and time is set when setting the date and time. Reset is set when resetting the set data.
[0026]
A cursor 31 is displayed on the setup screen. When the upward key included in the up / down key 13 is pressed, the cursor 31 moves the item upward. When the downward key included in the up / down key 13 is pressed, the cursor 31 moves the item downward. When the left / right key 14 is pressed, the content of the item designated by the cursor 31 changes. When the execution key 15 is pressed, the setting of the item specified by the cursor 31 is confirmed.
[0027]
When the cursor 31 designates the frame number memory (step 42) and the imaging theme is set (step 43), the theme screen shown in FIG.
[0028]
The theme screen displays theme settings and theme selection items. An arrow 32 is also displayed on the theme screen. This arrow 32 moves up and down between the items of theme setting and theme selection in response to depression of the up / down key 13.
[0029]
The theme setting is designated by the user when a new imaging theme is registered (stored in the flash memory 6). When specifying the theme setting, the up / down key 13 is operated so that the arrow 32 indicates the theme setting, and then the execution key 15 is pressed. The theme selection is selected by the user when an imaging theme is selected from already registered imaging themes. When the theme selection is designated, the up / down key 13 is operated so that the arrow 32 indicates the theme selection, and then the execution key 15 is pressed.
[0030]
When the theme setting is specified (step 44), the theme setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal monitor display device 8 (step 45). While the theme setting screen is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor display device 8, a new imaging theme is registered (step 46).
[0031]
A cursor 33 is displayed on the theme setting screen. When the up / down key 13 is pressed, alphabets are displayed on the cursor 33 in alphabetical order. When the left / right key 14 is pressed, the cursor 33 moves to the right, and the alphabetic character displayed on the position before the cursor 33 is moved is fixed. The up / down key 13 is operated until the desired alphabet is displayed again. When the imaging theme is finally displayed, the execution key 15 is pressed to determine the imaging theme. The imaging theme is stored in the flash memory 2. In the case of new registration, it goes without saying that the last frame number is set to “DSC00001” (frame number 0).
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 6, when theme selection is designated on the theme screen, the theme selection screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display screen of the monitor display device 8 (step 48).
[0033]
A list of imaging themes stored in the flash memory 6 is displayed on the theme selection screen. Needless to say, when all the imaging themes cannot be displayed on the display screen of the monitor display device 8, the up and down key 13 is operated to display a theme other than the currently displayed imaging theme.
[0034]
A cursor 34 is also displayed on the theme selection screen. When the up / down key 13 is pressed, the cursor 34 moves between the imaging themes. When the execution key 15 is pressed, the imaging theme designated by the cursor 34 is determined (step 49).
[0035]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when image data obtained by imaging is recorded in a memory card.
[0036]
When the imaging mode is set by the mode setting button 12, the subject is imaged by the imaging element 2 as described above (step 51). When a shutter release button (not shown) is pressed, image data representing the subject image is temporarily stored in the image memory 7. As described above, the frame number corresponding to the imaging theme set or selected in the setup mode is read from the flash memory 6 (step 52). Since the read frame number is the frame number for the image data recorded last in the imaging theme, the frame number is incremented (step 53). The incremented frame number is stored in the flash memory 6 for the corresponding imaging theme (step 54). Of course, when recording of image data to the memory card fails, it goes without saying that the original frame number is restored.
[0037]
The data representing the incremented frame number and the image data are stored in the same file, and are associated with each other and recorded on the memory card 20 (step 55).
[0038]
In the above-described processing, it goes without saying that the digital still camera is mounted with the memory card 20 for the imaging theme that the user wants to set or select.
[0039]
FIG. 10 shows an example of a display screen of a display device connected to the personal computer.
[0040]
As described above, the memory card 20 in which the image data and the frame number data are stored in the same file is detached from the digital still camera and inserted into the memory card slot of the personal computer. The file recorded on the memory card 20 is read and recorded on the hard disk of the personal computer. A folder with a folder name “memory card” appears on the display screen of the display device of the personal computer. This folder with the folder name “Memory Card” contains image data with frame numbers from “DSC00011” to “DSC00030”, which stores image data representing the image of the flower (imaging theme “FLOWER”) Is stored.
[0041]
Further, it is assumed that a folder having a name corresponding to the above-described imaging theme is stored in the hard disk of the personal computer. In FIG. 10, a folder 62 having the name “FLOWER”, a folder 63 having the name “SPORTS”, a folder 64 having the name “PEOPLE”, and a folder 65 having the name “SKY” are illustrated. . In the folder with the name “FLOWER”, “DSC00001” to “DSC00010” (this frame number “DSC00010” is the last frame number in the imaging theme of “FLOWER” in the flash memory 6 of the digital still camera. It is assumed that a file having a frame number (stored) is stored.
[0042]
By dragging and dropping the memory card folder 61 to the “FLOWER” folder 62, image data having an image of a uniform imaging theme for the flowers is stored in the “FLOWER” folder 62. It is possible to relatively easily create a folder for each imaging theme in which image data corresponding to the imaging theme is stored. Folders can be organized relatively easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a digital still camera.
FIG. 2 shows the contents stored in the flash memory.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen of a monitor display device of a digital still camera.
FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen of a monitor display device of a digital still camera.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen of a monitor display device of a digital still camera.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a display screen of a monitor display device of a digital still camera.
FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen of a monitor display device of a digital still camera.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure until an imaging theme is designated.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of imaging processing.
FIG. 10 is an example of a display screen of a display device connected to a personal computer.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Image sensor 5 Digital signal processing circuit 6 Flash memory 8 Liquid crystal monitor display device
10 CPU
12 Mode setting button
13 Up / Down key
14 Left / Right key
15 Run button
20 Memory card

Claims (3)

An imaging means for imaging a subject and outputting image data representing the subject image;
Imaging theme setting means for setting an imaging theme,
Frame number storage means for storing each frame number for each imaging theme set by the imaging theme setting means,
Each time a subject is imaged by the imaging means, frame number incrementing means for incrementing the frame number of the imaging theme set by the imaging theme setting means among the frame numbers stored in the frame number storage means. ,
Storage control means for controlling the frame number storage means so as to store the frame number incremented by the frame number increment means for each corresponding imaging theme, and the frame incremented by the frame number increment means The data representing the number and the image data output from the imaging unit by imaging using the imaging theme set by the imaging theme setting unit are stored in different folders for each imaging theme set by the imaging unit. Image data recording control means for recording on a recording medium without being able to identify an imaging theme ,
Digital still camera equipped with The imaging theme setting means is
Imaging theme storage means for storing a plurality of imaging themes, and imaging theme selection means for selecting an imaging theme from the imaging themes stored in the imaging theme storage means,
The digital still camera according to claim 1. The imaging theme can be set,
Remember each frame number for each imaging theme to be set,
Capture the subject and obtain image data representing the subject image.
Each time the subject is imaged, the frame number for the set imaging theme among the stored frame numbers is incremented.
Store the incremented frame number for each corresponding imaging theme,
The data representing the incremented frame number and the image data obtained by imaging with the set imaging theme are associated with each other and recorded in a state where the imaging theme cannot be identified without being stored in a different folder for each imaging theme. Record on media,
Control method of digital still camera.

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